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MEDICAL/HEALTH:
- The Texas Department of Criminal Justice
medical, dental and mental health care is
provided to the offenders by the University of
Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in the northern,
eastern and southern portions of the state; by
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
(TTHSC) in the western portion of the state;
and by private corporations using a managed
health care system.
Primary care is provided at all units, where sick call is held at least five days per week.
When needed, a full range of specialty consultations is available, and hospital services are provided by either the TDCJ Hospital Galveston, the Montford Unit in Lubbock or local hospitals.
Offenders who are placed on the Seriously/Critically Ill List by a licensed physician, to include offenders listed as nonambulatory, are allowed to receive visitors in the unit infirmary or medical department at the warden’s discretion with the presiding physician’s medical consensus. The presiding physician shall make the determination regarding the offender’s ability to receive visitors. The warden may provide alternate means for visiting these offenders on a caseby-case basis (ie., scheduling a visit during the week by special arrangement).
If the offender is in a free-world hospital, visitation usually does not take place. However, in exceptional circumstances, family visitation may take place as considered appropriate by the warden, chaplain and free-world hospital administration.
Factors taken into consideration shall include the seriousness of the illness (as determined by the presiding physician), security needs and the hospital’s physical structure or location.
If the offender is in Hospital Galveston, seriously or critically ill offenders are allowed visits seven days a week. The determination of whether an offender is seriously or critically ill is determined by the presiding physician.
If the offender is in hospice care, all visits shall be coordinated through the Chaplaincy Department and shall meet the approval of the warden (or designee) and unit medical staff.
Visitation may occur seven days a week, generally between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The warden shall have final authority over visitation within the Hospice Program.
Inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment programs are provided for offenders with mental health needs. Special programs are also available for physically handicapped and mentally retarded offenders.
The Patient Liaison Family/Public Hotline number, 936-437-4271, is available for family members and the public to inquire about an incarcerated offender’s health care.
When medical information of any kind is requested regarding an offender’s health, a release form signed by the offender is required.
The “Authorization for Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information” (PHI) form is obtained by contacting the Patient Liaison office at 936-437-4271.
That office will complete the form and obtain the offender’s signature.
The PHI form allows TDCJ – Health Services and the Correctional Managed Health Care staff of both universities to release protected health information.
If an offender is a patient in Hospital Galveston, a PHI form is also required.
Family members may call the “Family Calls Only Hotline” at 409-772-6131 for assistance.
Helpful Resource Links:
Texas Correctional Health Care Program
University of Texas Medical Branch
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
TDCJ Hospital Galveston
Medical and Psychiatric Units:
GALVESTON Medical Facility
YOUNG Medical Facility Complex
JESTER IV Psychiatric Facility
MONTFORD Psychiatric Facility
SKYVIEW Psychiatric Facility
SPECIAL NEEDS OFFENDER PROGRAM- (SNOP)
Special programs are also available for
physically handicapped and mentally illed offenders.
The Patient Liaison Family/Public
Hotline Number is 936-437-4271.
TDCJ Health Services;
936-437-3535
P.O. Box 99
Huntsville, TX 77342-0099
Copyright © 2006-2011 TPNS
